By Joshua Olomu
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has stated it invested $82.74 (109.61bn) in several development programmes since it started operations in Nigeria.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, KOICA’s Country Director in Nigeria, Eunsub Kim, said the investment has led to creation of jobs in the agricultural sector and strengthened entrepreneurship among Nigeria youth.
He stated that agency was working together with government agencies and partners to address real needs and create lasting change.
Kim noted that this partnership can be seen in the skills gained, opportunities created, institutions strengthened and solutions developed through the programmes.
According to him, KOICA has been a development partner to Nigeria for many years, working with the Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders across areas including education, agriculture, governance, digital transformation, entrepreneurship and skills development.
“Some examples of this cooperation include the Green Jobs for Youth in Resilient Agrifood Systems Programme, which supports young people with skills and opportunities for green employment and entrepreneurship.
“The Start-up Digital Innovation Academy Project, which strengthens Nigeria’s start-Education Commission to support teacher development, digital learning and technology-enabled up and MSME ecosystem,” he said.
He said such programmes included the Smart School Project Phase II Implemented with the Universal Basic education across 21 states.
Kim also identified the Digital Governance Project, implemented to enhance digital governance in Nigeria by strengthening institutional systems and capacities.
He added that through the CIAT Fellowship Programme, it supported approximately 2,000 Nigerian government officials to strengthen their knowledge and skills and learn from Korea’s development experience.
“These programmes represent only part of our cooperation. More importantly, we recognise that the success of development cooperation should be measured not only by activities completed, but by the impact and sustainability of the results.
“We also have the Nigerian-Korean model school, which is implemented by the FCT Education Secretariat. It’s a smart school done to educate the people around the sub-areas around Airport Road,” he said.
Also speaking , Head of Inclusive Growth at the UNDP, Claire Henshaw, identified projects that UNDP is supporting KOICA with, including the construction of the Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship.
According to her, the project is going to provide a strong platform for the entrepreneurship ecosystem to drive digital innovation, skills acquisition, and digital transformation.
She said the initiative was targeting young businesses, young people, and the ecosystem within Abuja and its environs.
“It’s laudable because as much as we have our universities of learning, given the advent of AI and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, I think it’s important for Nigeria and Africa to catch up,” she said.
Henshaw added that KOICA is providing that leverage in supporting what the Nigerian government was already doing.
“This is particularly when it comes to strengthening the capacities of our young people to drive the ecosystem, within the context of investments, innovation, and trade,” he said. (NAN)
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi
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